Advances in the use of carbonaceous scaffolds for constructing stable composite Li metal anodes

Compositing lithium metal anodes (LMAs) with carbon-based materials has been given much attention because of the latter's low density, high mechanical strength, stable electrochemical properties, and large specific surface area. Such a composite LMA stands out because of its ability to reduce the volume expansion, lower the local current density, and provide active nucleation sites for uniform Li⁺ plating. Recent research advances in carbon-based materials as scaffolds to make composite anodes are reviewed, including composites with pure metals and their alloys, and compositing strategies to improve anode stability.